Chula Vista

TERRA NOVA

In 1983 Corky McMillin formed a lending partnership with Great American Savings and Loan and over the next two years, this joint-venture partnership would develop a master-planned community dubbed Terra Nova which meant “New Land” in Latin. The community name led to the discovery theme that would prevail throughout the project. Terra Nova was located along East H Street in Chula Vista and would eventually comprise 419 homes, an elementary school and Terra Nova Park. In addition to developing the new community, the McMillin/Great American partnership would build the 5 neighborhoods within it.

At build-out the community known as Terra Nova was home to five McMillin residential projects; Windjammer, the only multi-family neighborhood and 4 single-family neighborhoods made up of Compass Hill, Captain’s Ridge, Mariner’s Point and Terra Nova Estates, a semi-custom home enclave on the largest lots. Years later another developer created Terra Nova Plaza, a large-scale community shopping Center on the west side of H Street.

During the time Corky was developing and building the community of Terra Nova, he was recognized with the Spirit of Life Award from the City of Hope and also named the “Headliner of the Year” by the San Diego Press Club.